Knowledge is power. When it comes to our health, doctors and patients should be empowered to make the best decisions possible about medication. That's why the Silicon Valley Leadership Group urges Gov. Jerry Brown to sign Sen. Jerry Hill's SB 598 into law.

SB 598 will reduce health care costs by allowing the use of biosimilars and protect patient safety. While biosimilars are the "generics" of biologic drugs, they are not the same as generics. The process of creating biologics is complex and sensitive to manufacturing conditions.

This isn't to say an approved biosimilar drug is ineffective or shouldn't be substituted. SB 598 doesn't require the pharmacist to obtain permission to substitute, only to notify the physician after the fact. If issues arise, the doctor is able to factor this into their problem solving, particularly important in cases where patients have sensitive conditions.

Carl Guardino

President and CEO Silicon Valley Leadership Group

Healthy options in vending machines

The American Heart Association applauds the San Jose City Council for approving that city-owned and operated vending machines are rated 75-percent healthy food and drinks ("Machines will hold fitter fare," Page 1B, Oct. 2). This policy will improve the health of city employees as well as visitors to city facilities.

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As a physician, I recommend eating foods high in nutritional value and to stay away from foods high in fat, sugar and salt. There are studies that indicate that a health benefit transpires when healthier food options become available -- even in vending machines, oftentimes the primary choice for a meal.

The Heart Association is a firm believer in improving nutritional standards for employees as well as students. Heart-healthier food options can contribute to improved cardiovascular health and longer, higher quality lives.

Dr. Cesar Molina

American Heart Association Mountain View

Too much government will bankrupt us all

Pat Waite (Letters, Oct. 7) was spot on when he described the philosophical differences between Republicans and the Democrats.

The Republicans care more about individual freedoms and the Democrats, especially now with Barack Obama as president, advocate more governmental control. To reiterate a quote I wrote a few years ago:

"What an individual can do, the family should not do. What the family can do the community should not do. What the community can do, the local government should not do. What the local government can do the state should not do. What the state can do the federal government should not do." Collective decisions made from the bottom up are generally more effective than the decisions made by a few at the top, i.e., Obamacare.

Currently, the government seems to be overreaching in all areas of our lives, often using this as a control mechanism, and it will eventually bankrupt us all.

Lois Hanson

Los Gatos

Best insurance option is to live healthy

People are complaining about the high cost of health care, high co-pays, high insurance costs, etc. Here's a novel idea: Stay healthy. It's not that difficult to do. Just exercise on a regular basis, eat a balanced diet, maintain a healthy body weight and avoid smoking.

Two thirds of all health care costs in this nation are attributable to unhealthy lifestyle choices that cause obesity, diabetes, heart disease, etc. People keep blaming the health care system for its faults, but it's they who should be blaming themselves.

Luis Arevalo

San Jose

Save our children from a lifetime of debt

Many people are criticizing the tea party for the debacle in Washington. There is no tea party. There are people who are tired of big government and high taxes. These are mostly older people who are have worked, paid taxes and bills for years. Now they are portrayed as radical nut cases.

Help me understand how they are a threat to our security. We are condemning our children and grandchildren to poverty and insurmountable debt. It is true that we will not be around to face their wrath. However, it might be nice to think that they would thank us rather than hate us.

There are rumblings on Facebook and other sources about their feelings even today. Maybe we should listen?